The other Hannibal Lecter MANHUNTER - Brian Cox vs Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs analysis

I remember a criminology professor, who had once interviewed a number of psychopaths who were incarcerated, described it as an exhausting process, because they are constantly trying to control the conversation and to get under your skin. I felt like Cox's depiction of Lecktor captured that really well.

I actually like Cox’s version more. It was less overtly sinister and more real world insidious.

This Lector stuck with me. I think it was that accent with that sense of humour in this particular movie that drove it home. Subtle and smart. He seemed so...familiar, a familiar, charming evil. A fantastic performance

Hopkins version is like a Pantomime villain. Cox's innocent line " Would you like to leave me your home phone number?" has always stuck in my mind.

Michael Mann is such a good director.

I like his quick snappy line delivery in Manhunter. It's like he's two steps ahead of Will and already knows what to say in every case. Red Dragon is my favorite of the books, and Lecter's characterization in that is my favorite for him. That first conversation between Will and Hannibal. When Will tells Hannibal his disadvantages are passion and insanity, he actually scores a hit, as it were, and Hannibal stops playing. He makes accurate guesses about how and where Will lives now, basically telling Will he has screwed up terribly, and that this is now war. Hannibal's hate for his cage, and his sort of "nonplussedness" (for lack of better vocabulary, I'm sorry) at being apprehended shine through just a bit when Will calls him insane, it's one of the few times where a crack of weakness shows on Hannibal because some part of him knows it's true, he just doesn't care. Definitely buying this full video. Love your stuff, keep it up.

Manhunter is a cinematic masterpiece. Few films are such a vibe and experience. Love the eighties soundtrack too!

Brian Cox as Hannibal was brilliant. You only have to see the scene where he phones a receptionist to see his genius and charm. The Manhunter Dolarhyde character was also better imo. This movie is overlooked despite having so many memorable scenes.

'Manhunter' perfectly epitomized the feeling of the 80s. Similar to 'Blue Velvet', it digs beneath the surface of conservative suburbia, while being one of the most beautiful films of its era at the same time. Mann didn't waste a single shot. The DP said that every frame was overseen by Mann to convey a mood or theme. This scene and the one in the supermarket are perfect examples of this.

Having worked in corrections, as LE, I can tell you, the portrayal of the prison cells in Manhunter, is really dead on. Depending on the type (classification) of the facility, you could see open bars, or closed full metal doors with a safety glass window in it, with the rest of the cell enclosed completely. Normally the cells would all be in a straight line, in a corridor. I don't remember if Manhunter shows other cells, I'd have to watch it again.

Brian Cox's performance of Hannibal Lector is like a fast-talking used car salesman. Sir Anthony Hopkins is the Late Night FM DJ who charms you with his smooth slow tone.

Anthony Hopkins won the best actor Oscar for less then 16 minutes of screen time. Enough Said.

Manhunter was released for tv broadcast as red dragon to capitalize on the huge success of silence of the lambs I just remember how odd it was to see manhunter on nbc as red dragon and all cut up and edited for tv

I remember that the first time I saw Red Dragon, I was telling everyone that I had already seen it, somehow, a few years earlier. I knew all about this “Hannibal Lecter” character, and the Tooth Fairy, and everything else, but couldn’t figure out how it was possible- I had the same feeling when I first saw The Silence Of The Lambs, but had kind of dismissed it. When Red Dragon came out, I really started annoying my friends with my insistence. It took a few more years until I stumbled across Manhunter once more, and was able to figure out how I was so familiar with the story of Red Dragon. And I was able to vindicate myself to my friends. Thanks for the video!

Bit of a tangent, but I have always found it curious that Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman won academy awards for roles that Brian Cox originally played - Hannibal Lecter and Winston Churchill.

I've waited a long time for this. I always preferred Brian Cox's Hannibal, especially after the schlock sequels/prequels to Silence of the Lambs. This grounded performance better encapsulates what the character always was to me, a fiendishly intelligent, but charming and understated monster. I like Sir Anthony Paycheck's performance just fine, confined to the original Silence of the Lambs, but he ruined the character after this film.

I would posit that the framing of the locked cell door over Lester's head is metaphorical as well, and implies he's got a brain that must be unlocked, and since our protagonist is within the room with him, unlocking it will and could be quite dangerous. Always love your analysis, thank you for the great film critiques! Keep it up!

Tom Noonan's portrayal of Francis Dolarhyde is better than the actor who played him in Red Dragon.

Cox's answer when he says, "pray tell" was the most Lector thing in either of the movies. With, "you are very tan, Will" coming in a very close second.

when Michael Mann hits a home run as director, it's "clear the bases. A guy who can swing a fat effing bat is comin' round." And "Manhunter" was his first homer. (Soon to be followed by "Last of the Mohicans."